Hunters for The Hungry Reports Abundant Donations

AUSTIN, Texas — The results are in. Hunters for the Hungry had another banner season! Thanks to the generosity of participating meat processors and hunters throughout the state, 175,927 pounds of game meat was donated to over 90 food assistance providers to feed the hungry during the 2006–2007 hunting season.

Who received the meat? A single mother of four children in Boerne who had to quit her job due to illness. A grandmother raising three grandchildren by herself in Llano. Several families in Abilene who lost their homes to fire. A retired couple in Kerrville who have spent most of their income on medications. A family of seven in Clute whose income came to a halt due to an on-the-job injury. Two elderly sisters in Thorndale — one blind and one confined to a wheelchair. These are but a few of the stories reported from the agencies that received donations this year.

Thousands of people in need throughout the state receive Hunters for the Hungry donations through local food assistance providers. For many agencies, the meat donated through the Hunters for the Hungry program is the only meat they receive and may be the only meat the families they serve will see on their tables all year. On behalf of the agencies and the families who received meat this year, the Texas Association of Community Action Agencies, Inc., administrator of the Hunters for the Hungry program, conveys their gratitude and appreciation to all of the hunters and meat processors who participated.

During hunting season, hunters can take legally harvested deer to participating meat processors, who will process and package the meat for a nominal fee to cover basic costs. Meat processors make arrangements with local food assistance agencies to distribute the meat to people in the community who need food.

Be part of the solution to hunger. For more information about the program or how you can support Hunters for the Hungry, visit www.tacaa.org/hunters.htm or call toll-free during business hours Monday–Friday at (800) 992-9767, extension 506. A current list of participating meat processors for the 2007–2008 hunting season will be available in September.